Saudi - Police free kidnapped man

(MENAFN - Arab News) A policeman was shot and two vehicles damaged during a successful operation to free a kidnapped man on Monday from a rest house in Al-Falah neighborhood.First Lt. Nawaf Al-Bouq, spokesman for the Jeddah police, said that officers at Al-Nazlatain police station received a call on Sunday from someone saying that his brother had been kidnapped by two gangsters. The complainant said the gangsters had assaulted his brother with wooden sticks, forced him into a car and left for an unknown destination.Al-Bouq said the police department promptly issued a search warrant giving a description of the missing person. "In less than 24 hours we were able to determine the location of the man and his kidnappers, which was in a public rest house in the Al-Falah neighborhood. The police surrounded the rest house and took precautions to ensure the safety of those inside," he said. As the police surrounded the facility, one gangster made daring bid to escape. "Suddenly a car, a jeep, left the rest house at very high speed, crashing through the main gate. There was heavy gunfire from the house. The driver of the car escaped but during the exchange, a policeman was shot in his foot and was taken to the hospital," he said.

Al-Bouq said that police officers stormed the place and found the kidnapped man in one of the rooms. His hands and feet were tied, and he had a minor head injury. He was given first aid at the scene. The police arrested one of the kidnappers, a 36-year old Saudi national. He was carrying a 7mm gun, and some live ammunition. The kidnapped man, in a preliminary statement, said the gangsters kidnapped him to settle old scores. When the police checked their records, it was found that the victim and the kidnappers had previous convictions for the use and distribution of drugs. They have been referred to the investigation and prosecution bureau for further action.

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